Uniforms, why?
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Uniforms, why?
Just a quick one, what do others think of the idea of wearing uniforms whilst doing their flight training?Im thinking of CCAT and OAT in particular.
Why is it prescribed?
What does it achieve?
Have mysef chosen a training org that does not require uniforms, (not for that reason of course, to base ones choice of trainer on the strength of not wearing a uniform would be rather shallow) so it doesn't affect me at all, but am just curious.
I know that I will have to wear one when I eventually work for an airline, however you show me a law school or an accountacy school that makes its students wear a pin-stripe suit, even though thats what they will need to wear when they end up getting jobs.
Is there anyone with anything to say on this most pressing of issues?
Why is it prescribed?
What does it achieve?
Have mysef chosen a training org that does not require uniforms, (not for that reason of course, to base ones choice of trainer on the strength of not wearing a uniform would be rather shallow) so it doesn't affect me at all, but am just curious.
I know that I will have to wear one when I eventually work for an airline, however you show me a law school or an accountacy school that makes its students wear a pin-stripe suit, even though thats what they will need to wear when they end up getting jobs.
Is there anyone with anything to say on this most pressing of issues?
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Re: Uniforms, why?
The reason behind the uniforms, in my opinion, is that from day one at the Flight Schools that you describe, you are treated as a proffessional pilot. This means that these organisations are run in such a fashion that makes the transition from Flight School to an Airline at the end of the course as simple as possible. The uniforms are part and parcel of this 
I am looking forward to getting my uniform at Cabair.... I can impress the ladies!
I am looking forward to getting my uniform at Cabair.... I can impress the ladies!
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Re: Uniforms, why?
I disagree that wearing a uniform ensures an individual is treated as a professional pilot. An individual is treated as a professional pilot if the instructors are professional and not power tripping.
I can see that a uniform assists in unit cohesion and a sense of team, which are all positive when trying to clear the big hurdles that an individual faces during their training. That said, only very large schools should adopt that attitude, because again, it is down to the instructors to foster the correct training environment.
Sadly the whole argument is tainted by training organisations emblazoning their uniforms with company motto's and therefore forcing an individual to buy from them or selected outlets - often at inflated prices. Which as we know, every penny counts.
Of course it does stop the "what shall I wear today" issue for some
I can see that a uniform assists in unit cohesion and a sense of team, which are all positive when trying to clear the big hurdles that an individual faces during their training. That said, only very large schools should adopt that attitude, because again, it is down to the instructors to foster the correct training environment.
Sadly the whole argument is tainted by training organisations emblazoning their uniforms with company motto's and therefore forcing an individual to buy from them or selected outlets - often at inflated prices. Which as we know, every penny counts.
Of course it does stop the "what shall I wear today" issue for some
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Re: Uniforms, why?
Apart from airline recruitment departments, the rest of the industry is highly regimented, structured and requires a very smart appearance. Its very much a question of, "look the part, act the part" which the bigger schools go for, especially considering the "ties" some of them have with certain carriers.........
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Re: Uniforms, why?
It is possible that wearing uniforms is a good idea if you're going to have hundreds of 18 year olds running around the place. If all you had is slightly older and wiser modular guys, there probably would be no issue with behaving professionally at the school. The stripes on the uniforms also help reinforce the authorities of instructors (they have a lot more stripes than you do). In theory it should not be needed, but given the level of immaturity I witnessed from some people at my school, it's probably a good idea...
I can think of a couple of less legitimate reasons though:
a) Airlines representatives visiting the school, to try and convince them that the place if full of pilots who will pass their selection and training when they call them
b) Mummies and daddies visiting the school, to make them believe that the 70k they are about to spend at least guarantess their little baby will no doubt get to fly a 737.
He-he
P
PS
Good one Craggenmore 
I can think of a couple of less legitimate reasons though:
a) Airlines representatives visiting the school, to try and convince them that the place if full of pilots who will pass their selection and training when they call them
b) Mummies and daddies visiting the school, to make them believe that the 70k they are about to spend at least guarantess their little baby will no doubt get to fly a 737.
He-he
P
PS
Apart from airline recruitment departments
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Re: Uniforms, why?
The Aviator,
I think you may be dissapointed mate, most women I know don't really care for pilot uniforms, the fireman seem to do it for them 
.
I am looking forward to getting my uniform at Cabair.... I can impress the ladies!
.
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Re: Uniforms, why?
Originally Posted by woof
Of course it does stop the "what shall I wear today" issue for some
Stick 'em in the washing machine you filthy sods!
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Re: Uniforms, why?
Originally Posted by the_aviator
I am looking forward to getting my uniform at Cabair.... I can impress the ladies!
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Re: Uniforms, why?
The point of having a uniform in my opinion is that you need a professional attitude when working towards a professional licence. For those of you who have trouble grasping the concept of 18yr old running around the hallways have got a lot to learn about taking that first all important step of stepping out of the stereotypical image.
However...one thing i do not understand....after peeking throught the OAT directory, the uniform (from what i can see) has one stripe, does that not mean that you should theoretically be holding a PPL to have that honour (which i do )
I heard about pin-stripe suit, do OAT actually provide a Pilot Blazer as well?
This should as interesting as I should be starting with OAT on the APP soon, case in point a uniform is there for a reason, to be put in place to help ensure a professional attitude, besides if we are talking about not having uniforms, then what the point of having one as an AP?........for our Pride Thats wht roughly £70K gets you
However...one thing i do not understand....after peeking throught the OAT directory, the uniform (from what i can see) has one stripe, does that not mean that you should theoretically be holding a PPL to have that honour (which i do
)I heard about pin-stripe suit, do OAT actually provide a Pilot Blazer as well?
This should as interesting as I should be starting with OAT on the APP soon, case in point a uniform is there for a reason, to be put in place to help ensure a professional attitude, besides if we are talking about not having uniforms, then what the point of having one as an AP?........for our Pride
Thats wht roughly £70K gets you
Why do it if it's not fun?
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Re: Uniforms, why?
Hmm....
I have done a number of flying courses at a number of different schools - PPL, IMC, Night, CPL, FIC, Multi-engine, IR, MCC, and a couple of others. Only one of these schools made me wear a uniform. My attitude towards all the other courses that I've done was no less professional than it was on the course where I had to wear a uniform; on the contrary, I have tried my best to have a professional attitude towards all of my flying, including my flying training - and that includes the time before I decided to become a "Wannabe" when I thought that flying was only ever going to be a hobby for me.
Now I'm an instructor at a school where students do not wear uniforms. The vast majority of my students have a good, professional attitude towards flying, despite the fact that most of them have no intention of being professional pilots. The small minority who do not have a professional attitude do not get maximum benefit from their flying - they arrive for their lesson 15 minutes late, then have a cup of tea before they'll be briefed. They won't come in when the weather's bad even if there are exams to study for or long briefings to be given. And then when, after many more hours than necessary because they don't think about flying when they are away from the aircraft, they are finally ready to go solo, they find that they can not, because they have not done the Air Law exam, despite the fact that we have been telling them to do it for, in some cases, the best part of a year.
Would wearing a shirt really make any difference to these people??? Or is it purely for the benefit of the school, in an attempt to improve its appearance to visitors?
FFF
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I have done a number of flying courses at a number of different schools - PPL, IMC, Night, CPL, FIC, Multi-engine, IR, MCC, and a couple of others. Only one of these schools made me wear a uniform. My attitude towards all the other courses that I've done was no less professional than it was on the course where I had to wear a uniform; on the contrary, I have tried my best to have a professional attitude towards all of my flying, including my flying training - and that includes the time before I decided to become a "Wannabe" when I thought that flying was only ever going to be a hobby for me.
Now I'm an instructor at a school where students do not wear uniforms. The vast majority of my students have a good, professional attitude towards flying, despite the fact that most of them have no intention of being professional pilots. The small minority who do not have a professional attitude do not get maximum benefit from their flying - they arrive for their lesson 15 minutes late, then have a cup of tea before they'll be briefed. They won't come in when the weather's bad even if there are exams to study for or long briefings to be given. And then when, after many more hours than necessary because they don't think about flying when they are away from the aircraft, they are finally ready to go solo, they find that they can not, because they have not done the Air Law exam, despite the fact that we have been telling them to do it for, in some cases, the best part of a year.
Would wearing a shirt really make any difference to these people??? Or is it purely for the benefit of the school, in an attempt to improve its appearance to visitors?
FFF
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Re: Uniforms, why?
The point of having a uniform in my opinion is that you need a professional attitude when working towards a professional licence
However...one thing i do not understand....after peeking throught the OAT directory, the uniform (from what i can see) has one stripe
P
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Re: Uniforms, why?
I seem to remember being told many moons ago by the management of my flightschool, when I asked why they insisted paying customers reached in their already overstretched pockets to buy a faux airline pilot's uniform, that the CAA prefer uniform to worn on full time training courses.
Personally, I think the reason why flightschools are so keen on uniform is more to do with selling the marketing hype, trying to give an airline-like aura to potential customers. By customers I'm talking paying ones here, not airline recruiters.
It's all a load bollox, because as soon as you get to an airline, you'll find out uniform isn't worn for training anyway, classroom or simulator.
A word of warning, you might think you look ever so good with a few strips on your shoulder, but in real airline world, you will be crucified by your follow pilots if you are spotted out outside work posing in your epaulettes, buying milk or filling your car with petrol. You'll instantly become known as a tit. Don't do it!
Personally, I think the reason why flightschools are so keen on uniform is more to do with selling the marketing hype, trying to give an airline-like aura to potential customers. By customers I'm talking paying ones here, not airline recruiters.
It's all a load bollox, because as soon as you get to an airline, you'll find out uniform isn't worn for training anyway, classroom or simulator.
A word of warning, you might think you look ever so good with a few strips on your shoulder, but in real airline world, you will be crucified by your follow pilots if you are spotted out outside work posing in your epaulettes, buying milk or filling your car with petrol. You'll instantly become known as a tit. Don't do it!
Last edited by notdavegorman; 10th Jan 2006 at 13:55.
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Re: Uniforms, why?
A word of warning, you might think you look ever so good with a few strips on your shoulder, but in real airline world, you will be crucified by your follow pilots if you are spotted out outside work posing in your epaulettes, buying milk or filling your with petrol. You'll instantly become known as a tit
P
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Re: Uniforms, why?
so does anyone actually know if OAT's uniform actually consists of a Blazer as well?
And who said a pilots uniform dont do it for the girls? From past experience i beg to differ
And who said a pilots uniform dont do it for the girls? From past experience i beg to differ
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Re: Uniforms, why?
I think you all seem to be taking this waay to far lol. Does it matter what you wear to fly? No, does everyone wearing a uniform look smart? yes, both to people inside and outside the school. I don't think it really matters whether you do or don't, but as a student that has to wear one I just accept it and move on.
And as for spotting people wearing there out of school/airline I do agree, however I'm not going to drive 20mins home to change to drive 20mins back to go to the supermarket I passed on the way home
And as for spotting people wearing there out of school/airline I do agree, however I'm not going to drive 20mins home to change to drive 20mins back to go to the supermarket I passed on the way home